Kuzma comes from a long line of Flint, Mich. natives who went on to star in college basketball, but he wasn’t an instant star, like for example, Michigan State’s Miles Bridges was. He had to work at it, in the classroom and on the court. There were times during his career, when Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak was hammering him for defensive lapses or some other transgression, that Kuzma considered transferring, but he hung in there and became a first-team All-Pac-12 player. Kuzma has developed the reputation of a gamer, a competitor who plays hurt—he was hampered by an ankle injury much of the 2016-17 season—and studies the game, looking for every angle to improve, and gain an edge.

Strengths

Mobility

Capable of playing either forward spot

Above average length

Vastly improved as a defender

Can score in the post, off the bounce or facing up

Good passer

Competes on the boards

Weaknesses

Has to become a more consistent perimeter threat

Decision-making can be shored up

Not an explosive leaper

NBA projection: Kuzma has been projected as a second-round pick.

2016-17 Season
Despite being plagued by an ankle injury, Kuzma earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors and honorable mention Pac-12 defensive team honors after finishing fifth in the conference in scoring and fourth in rebounding. He led the Utes in both statistics, but displayed other skills as well, including passing. In a win over Montana State, Kuzma was one assist shy of a triple double after also racking up 16 points and 15 boards. Kuzma helped lead the Utes to a 20-11 record (11-7 in the Pac-12) and a spot in the NIT.

Career Highlights: Earned both all-conference and all-defensive team honors as a junior. Ranked 39th in the nation in rebounding (9.3) and 26th in double-doubles (15). Selected All-Pac-12 First Team.

Cool statistic: It didn’t take long for Kuzma to shatter his previous record for rebounds in a game. It had been 12, set twice in his sophomore season, but in the Utes’ 2016-17 season opener against Northwest Nazarene, he grabbed 19, the most by a Utah player since Andrew Bogut pulled down 20 against New Mexico in 2005.

Reminds me of: Tobias Harris

What Insiders SayUtah coach Larry Krystkowiak
“He’s unique in that he’s capable of playing the three and four. He’s 6-9, and we’ll probably try to take advantage of isolations in the post, and play him on the wing because he’s skilled and can shoot it. He gives us a little bit of versatility.”

What Outsiders SayKuzma mentor Vin Sparacio
"He's light years ahead of where he was academically," Sparacio told the Salt Lake Tribune. "His academic situation was a complete mess [before arriving at Utah]. He didn't have great habits. It's hard for me to process that he's going to earn his degree. He's so much more mature."